If you have missing teeth due to decay, injury, or some other reason, you may be experiencing adverse effects on your appearance and health. An incomplete smile can make you feel self-conscious about how you look and may hold you back from reaching your full potential in life situations.
It’s essential to know how missing teeth affect you and how to eliminate the negative consequences.
Loss of Functionality
Your teeth play an essential role in everyday tasks such as eating and talking. Chewing is an essential part of consuming your favorite foods, allowing you to fully enjoy them and receive their nutritional value. They also help you form words so you can speak clearly during conversations with others.
Since dental implants are inserted directly into your jaw, they take on the role of your natural teeth. They’re strong, stable, and durable, so they’ll restore the normal functions listed above.
Increase Risk of Oral Infection
When you’re missing one or more teeth, your oral health becomes more vulnerable. The gaps between your teeth expose your gums, and this can lead to decay or disease. Since the crowns of your teeth cover your gums and protect them from bacteria, leaving them exposed can cause bacteria to settle in and create gum disease.
To protect your oral health, Dr. Kruger will place dental implants in these gaps. This will help block out bacteria, helping you maintain good oral health.
Weakened Jawbone
Your jaw contains a specific amount of teeth to support it and keep it healthy. Gaps due to missing teeth cause your jaw to become uneven and lose density. This can cause your existing teeth to shift and even become loose.
Dental implants consist of an implant fixture that is attached to your jaw to act as a root for your porcelain crown. It stimulates the jawbone and creates growth.
Premature Aging
Over time, missing teeth can add multiple years to your appearance, too. Your cheeks take on the shape of your jawbone, meaning missing teeth can cause your skin to sag and conform to the gaps. This may result in premature wrinkles primarily around your mouth.
Receiving dental implants will create a full jaw and fill in your cheeks, making it look as if you had a facelift. Your beautiful smile can give you a more youthful appearance as well.
Reduced Self-confidence
Do you ever hide your teeth in social situations due to the appearance of your smile? Missing teeth can cause you to smile less or attend fewer social events. They can also negatively affect your confidence in your relationships and your career.
If you’re embarrassed by the look of your teeth, dental implants can boost your self-confidence and allow you to maintain and create more relationships.
Increased Likelihood of Pain
Sometimes extremely hot or cold substances cause sensitivity in your mouth. This is because of the multiple nerves that are located in your gums. Typically, your teeth protect your gums from the pain-causing substance, resulting in less pain. However, gaps in your smile will expose your gums, leaving your mouth more susceptible to pain.
Dental implants will protect your nerves, minimalizing the risk of experiencing facial pain.
Contact Dr. Kruger to Improve Your Oral Health
If you’re worried about the negative effects of missing teeth on your health, contact our Oelwein office at (319) 283-4222 or our West Union office at (563) 422-6292 to schedule a consultation.
Dr. Kruger will evaluate your teeth and determine which dental implant solution will best restore your oral health and improve your appearance.